The Haggard Affair: Overlooked Issues
By Joe E. Trull, Editor
Is there anything left to say about the Haggard affair? Probably you are weary of the story, broadcast for weeks by the media. The mega-church pastor and president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) who resigned both positions after a former male prostitute charged that monthly for three years Rev. Ted Haggard had met him in a hotel room, where Haggard also acknowledged buying crystal meth from the gay man.
My first response was a mixture of Grief-Disappointment-Sadness-and Concern.
On my desk are ten reports, ranging from the Religious News Service to Newsweek magazine. I have read them all. Yet, something troubles me deeply. In all these accounts-both secular and religious-key issues have been omitted or misunderstood. Issues vital for understanding, preventing, and responding to clergy sexual misconduct were overlooked or sometimes misinterpreted.
Ministerial ethics has been a lifetime interest. During twenty years as a pastor, I witnessed numerous moral failures of friends and colleagues. Fifteen years of teaching Christian ethics followed, including the development of a course in ministerial ethics and a basic textbook.[i]
In 1998, Texas Baptists appointed a 15-member committee to study Clergy Sexual Misconduct and to bring a report to the convention about responding to this increasing problem. I was asked to serve as consultant, doing the basic research for the educational materials, as well as assisting in the production of a 45-page booklet.[ii]
Thus by experience, training, and focus of study, clergy sexual misconduct has been a central concern, leading to numerous conferences and speaking engagements.[iii] Most ministers and laity, especially in Baptist/evangelical circles, are shocked to learn the extent of the problem. Reliable research over the last two decades verifies that sexual abuse by clergy has reached "horrific proportions:" 12-13% of ministers admit to sexual relations with church members and another 37-39% acknowledge sexually inappropriate behavior.[iv]
The purpose for noting these overlooked issues is to assist clergy, laity, and churches to better address clergy sexual misconduct. Major reasons for failure are: (1) a lack of understanding of the nature of the problem; (2) a failure to initiate prevention strategies; and (3) inappropriate responses when misconduct occurs.[v] Noting certain mistaken ideas and inadequate responses in the Haggard affair will illustrate the importance of properly understanding and confronting clergy sexual failure in any church.
Although news reports never give the complete story, and although investigations continue into the extent of Ted Haggard`s misconduct, the information in the media thus far reveals a number of mistakes by the church, its members, and interested parties. Though unintentional and well-motivated, these mistakes made ministerial misconduct a greater possibility and damage to the church and to individuals much more probable.
Superficial Accountability. The most obvious failure of New Life church, and one common to most megachurches, is the lack of accountability. Major denominations vet clergy credentials and have elaborate systems of guidelines, policies, and procedures that, to a large degree, protect parishioners and discipline errant ministers.
However, for evangelical megachurches with superpastors, it is different. Ministers are celebrities who have little or no oversight, other than boards stacked with relatives, friends, and personal lawyers who wouldn`t dare contradict the pastor, notes Bill Martin, a RiceUniversity expert on evangelicals. "The pitfall with the megachurches . . . is it`s so easy for a person to consider him- or herself above accountability," Martin said. "If that accountability is absent or reduced, then trouble is on the way."
The elders of Haggard`s 14,000 member church seemed to turn the matter over to an "Overseer Board," made up of clergy from various churches around the country-pastor-friends from Louisiana to California to Arizona. To their credit, the Board did issue a public statement that Haggard "has committed sexually immoral conduct" and agreed with him that he should be dismissed. My question: How can minister-friends who live hundreds of miles away oversee this pastor or adequately investigate charges of misconduct?
Limited Liability. Many have noted the discrepancies between Ted Haggard`s confession, the claims of the accuser Mike Jones, and the conclusions of the church and its members. Policies and procedures for churches investigating charges of clergy malfeasance demand full disclosure of the truth. This is absolutely necessary for all parties involved, especially for the church. Without a public disclosure of the facts, the church will suffer, yielding to gossip, misinformation, and often the re-victimizing of the falsely accused, or the victim, and always the perpetrator`s family.
Did Pastor Haggard sin? Yes. He agrees as does his investigators. But what exactly was the pastor`s sin? Original denials followed by vague generalities only confuse. His admission to a "massage" from a male escort in the hotel room and to "buying drugs but later throwing them away" (remember, this admission was from the front seat of his auto, with his wife by his side and two children in the back seat), confuses more than clarifies. What are church members to believe about their pastor? Full disclosure is a must.
Atmosphere of Denial. Common to all charges of sexual misbehavior by ministers is the response of denial. Church members rally to defend their preacher. Initially the victim is blamed-"she seduced our pastor" or "he is lying!" Sometimes if the charges prove to be true, the pastor`s wife may be blamed as an "inadequate spouse or sexual partner." Even the church is accused of "overworking" the minister to the point of vulnerability.
Any and all of these may be true, but the minister cannot escape responsibility-the ordained is in the position of power in any relationship and he or she must know and keep the boundaries of ethical sexual conduct. Yet denial is the pattern.
Initially, Haggard denied the relationship, but when evidence proved he had met the male prostitute monthly in a hotel room and bought drugs from him, the three-year leader of the NAE expressed sorrow for being a "deceiver and liar." In a letter to his church, he expressed sorrow and disappointment for "the betrayal and hurt [and] the horrible example I have set for you." Yet he continued to deny a sexual relationship or drug use.
The new interim president of the NAE, Leith Anderson (pastor of a Minnesota Baptist megachurch), added to the denials. "Most evangelicals . . . will understand that if there are 45,000 churches [in the NAE], that 44,999 of them have leaders that did not misbehave and that one person misbehaved and that that is an anomaly." While I would agree that the majority of ministers are not guilty of sexual deviance, Rev. Anderson`s assumption is blatantly naïve in the face of the facts-about 12% of his members (over 500) are probably involved in a sexual affair with a church member and as many as 15,000 might admit to "sexually inappropriate behavior."
Most grievous to me is the statement by Gayle Haggard, the pastor`s wife (and who of us is not sympathetic for her and feels her grief?). In a humorous comment to the church`s women, she noted those who thought her marriage was "so perfect I could not relate to women who are facing great difficulties know that this will never be the case." She closed by pledging her commitment to her husband: "My test has begun; watch me. I will try to prove myself faithful." Where did that idea come from? Although I understand her mixed feelings, is not denial obvious?
Flawed Theology. A footnote to the entire sordid affair is what seems to be evidence of a flawed theology. Since reading a profound theological explanation by Roger Olsen (Truett Seminary professor) in Christianity Today, which linked the flawed theology of Pentecostalism (his own heritage) with the moral downfall of ministers like Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker, I have reflected on his thesis. (And let me add that I know many more Baptists than Pentecostals who have fallen!)
Listen to these comments by Ted Haggard: "I have fought these demons all my life. …There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I have been warring against it for all of my adult life. . . . The accusations leveled against me are not all true, but enough of them are true that . . . I have been removed from ministry." To be a Christian is "to be in a constant state of war."
I remember Jimmy Swaggart`s description of his regular meetings with a prostitute in New Orleans. After each visit, he confessed that he would repent and feel forgiven and assume he was cured. But in a few weeks Swaggart would be back at the motel, watching the exotic dancer. Is there a flawed theology that convinces some ministers that they need only to "repent" and "pray" to solve this problem. Is the problem simply an "attack of Satan" or the work of "demons," rather than one`s own human nature and inner weaknesses?
Myopic Restoration. According to an Associated Press story, restoration will include "prayer, and perhaps the laying on of hands. There will be counseling and a confession. And there will be advice, confrontation and rebuke from `godly men` appointed to oversee the spiritual `restoration` of the Rev. Ted Haggard." Haggard has agreed to a process "that could last as long as five years."
Who are these "counselors" who will oversee the restoration process? Are they trained, experienced, and skilled in this special area of clergy sexual abuse and misconduct? Are they aware of the nature of clergy sexual failures, and the difference between wanderers (one-time offenders), predators (sociopathic manipulators), pedophiles, and homosexuals? Do they understand that clergy sexual exploitation is not primarily about sex-it is an abuse of power in a highly destructive manner?
The news reports indicate the ones overseeing restoration are fellow-megapastors-two are mentioned, Jack Hayford of The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, CA, and Tommy Barnett of First Assembly of God in Phoenix. Both declined to discuss Mr. Haggard`s program. If experienced counselors trained for counseling clergy with these specific problems are not used, rehabilitation is unlikely.
Afterchurch Realities. A pastor in the Northwest, who served a congregation after the previous minister`s moral downfall, wrote his D.Min. dissertation on the "Afterchurch." I have also been pastor of an "Afterchurch," and I verify his conclusions about the difficult and long process of ministering to a congregation after their pastor has been guilty of sexual misconduct.
It appears NewLifeChurch, like most congregations who face ministerial failure, is on the verge of several mistakes. First, they immediately called T.V. pastor Ross Parsley as "worship pastor." With high-sounding comments, he called on the people "when tragedy and crisis strikes" to "truly decide if you are a worshipper of the most high God."
Now all I know about Parsley is what I have seen on T.V. (and that is bad enough), but this comment proves to me he doesn`t have a clue as to the needs of this Afterchurch. New Life needs a pastor who can help them deal with their grief and confusion as they face one of the greatest tragedies of their life-not a sermon on being faithful!
A church statement also said that Parsley will lead the church "until a permanent replacement for Mr. Haggard is chosen by the end of the year." Someone assumes that as soon as a new pastor comes (in two months!), the crisis will be passed and the church will move on as if nothing has happened. Dream on.
Anyone who has dealt with an Afterchurch will verify that it takes just as long for church restoration, as it does for the offending pastor. Often a church is in turmoil for 2-3 years, sometimes longer. In the Afterchurch I pastored, we were still struggling with some aftereffects in the fifth year after the event.
Wounded Victims. Clergy sexual misconduct is often one of those secrets of church life concealed from public scrutiny. A "code of silence" is sometimes enforced. Most people deny or ignore an incident. But this is destructive.
The focus of attention is usually on the minister. Colleagues and parishioners either come to his defense, or if guilty, offer empathy and grace. Not a few find in time their sadness turns to anger and resentment.
But there are many other overlooked victims. What about the minister`s spouse? The wife is devastated-her marriage is in jeopardy, her calling and ministry dissolves, her children are asking questions, her days in the parsonage are numbered, the family income is affected, and most of all, she asks, "Who is this man I married?"
It is not uncommon, by the way, for children in this marriage to rebel against God and church, often indulging in risky behavior-drugs, illicit sex, and heavy drinking.
Other ministers also feel the impact of ministerial immorality. Like waves from the wake of a passing ship, clergy sexual misconduct washes muddy waters across the reputation of ministry at large. Indeed, all ministers and churches are hurt, when one minister fails.
Tony Campolo notes another important truth. After we get over our anger and prayerfully weep for brother Ted, his family, and the congregation, we must not overlook the suffering of Mike Jones, the male prostitute who blew the whistle on Haggard. On a blog site (belief.net.com, Nov. 9, 2006), Campolo notes, "It is all too easy to ignore the suffering of Mike Jones . . . [he] will also be hurt. His life will never be the same. He will always be scorned and a marked man."
Campolo than asks some tough questions: What drove him into prostitution? Does the church bear any responsibility toward him? How will all of this impact the gay community?
One news story carried a statement made by Mike Jones to reporters: "I am sad for [Haggard] and his family. I know this is a tough day for him also. I wish him well. I wish his family well. My intent was never to destroy his family. My intent was to expose a hypocrite."
Yes, both Ted and Mike are facing the dark side of their humanity. Both need what only God and the people of God can offer-prayer, grace, and hope for a better tomorrow. In the midst of this sordid affair, let not the church or its leaders overlook issues that may well determine the ultimate healing and health of a great host of people who have suffered the pains of this ministerial failure.
Footnotes
[i] Ministerial Ethics: Moral Formation for Church Leaders 2nd Ed (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004) is co-authored with James E. Carter.
[ii] Broken Trust: Confronting Clergy Sexual Misconduct, Dallas: Christian Life Commission, Baptist General Convention of Texas, 333 N. Washington, Dallas, TX 75246. The new chapter (7) in the second edition of the text Ministerial Ethics is an expansion of my basic research and writing for this booklet.
[iii] In 2006, the author has addressed this subject at ministerial ethics conferences at Truett Seminary/Baylor and the McAfee School of Theology/Mercer, as well as to 12 colleges and universities since 2000.
[iv] See Trull and Carter, Ministerial Ethics, 164-165. Equally disturbing is the fact that this rate of abuse among clergy generally exceeds the client-professional rate for physicians and psychologists.
[v] See Broken Trust, 23-42 for specific suggestions and sample policies and procedures for churches.
